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GOV RACE: Debates in the offing?

Lansing Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Virg Bernero has accepted three debates across the state against his Republican opponent Rick Snyder of Ann Arbor.
Bernero's campaign says he will debate at WOOD-TV Sept. 21 in Grand Rapids, a joint WXYZ/WWJ/Crain’s Detroit Business debate on Oct. 21 in Southfield, and a third debate likely to be held in Lansing Oct. 7 that will air on WKAR-TV, WJBK Fox 2 in Detroit, WLNS Channel 6 in Lansing, Michigan Public Broadcasting stations, WWJ Radio in Detroit, the Michigan Radio Networkand other commercial TV and radio stations.
Snyder's campaign says debate times and places will be determined once both campaigns meet to agree on the details.
"Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero is getting the debate cart before the horse," said a statement from Snyder's campaign Friday. "Debate times and places will be set when the debate negotiation teams from both campaigns meet and hammer out the details.
"Rick welcomes the opportunity to let Michiganders get to know the candidates and where they stand on the issues affecting Michigan. The voters deserve an open and honest exchange of ideas between the candidates and not another Lansing political side show. We will leave the debate about debate to the career politicians."
Snyder won a five-way Republican primary Aug. 3 to capture the GOP nomination. Bernero won a two-way race.
State conventions are scheduled for the end of the month for Republicans and Democrats to formally name their candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general. Contact staff writer Charles Crumm at 248-745-4649, charlie.crumm@oakpress.com or follow him on Twitter @crummc. More election information is at 2010electioninoaklandcounty.blogspot.com.